George Tuley/Special to the Caller-Times
The IceRays' Michael Benedict (24) slipped the puck under the Bulls goalie Nikifor Szczerba on a redirect and a first period 1-0 lead. At left is the Bulls'Joe Kazlak and Brandon Lubin at right.

George Tuley 0308_SPO_IceRays7 - Cody Milligan goes down to one knee for a shot on goal past the Bulls' Luke Jenkins. In the background is the IceRays' Justin Lutsch.

CORPUS CHRISTI - In their inaugural junior season, the IceRays have had to learn plenty of tough lessons.

Another came on Monday night, when a solid effort came undone with some high-risk maneuvers with the game on the line.

Three third-period goals boosted the Amarillo Bulls past Corpus Christi 4-1 at the American Bank Center, giving the visitors from the Panhandle a series sweep.

The IceRays (18-30-3, 39 points) only have seven games left in their regular season, trailing Wichita Falls by nine points for the final playoff spot in the North American Hockey League's South Division.

Unlike Sunday, when they were blasted early and often in a 5-1 loss, Monday's final score was not indicative of the game, but the IceRays couldn't overcome some critical late breakdowns.

"(The difference from Sunday was) just energy, finishing checks and the passing was a lot better," coach Brent Hughes said. "You could the guys wanted it more tonight than they did (Sunday). We started to get sloppy in the third period and we're having a hard time with (playing) 60 minutes.

"Our guys forgot about defense in the third period. We were pushing for that (go-ahead) goal and they were coming at us in outnumbered situations galore."

The third-period lapses made a hard-luck loser of goalie Mason Murovich, the backup who was making his first start and only his third appearance since arriving in mid-January.

Murovich, who hadn't started in net since Dec. 12 when he was with Port Huron, finished with 40 saves, including some highlight-reel stops such as a second-period rebuff of a two-on-none rush.

"I felt pretty good out there for not (starting) in a while," Murovich said. "I've got to take advantage of every opportunity I get to play.

"I tried to be real calm and relaxed about it and not get too nervous about being out there. I was trying to have some fun out there and do my best."

Thanks to Michael Benedict's power-play goal late in the first period, the IceRays led 1-0.

Then 5:15 into the second period, Josh Obregon was pulled down on a breakaway, getting taken into the net with Bulls goalie Nikifor Szczerba. Hughes argued that the puck went into the net with both players, but referee Brent Coulombe ruled no goal after conferring with the goal judge.

"I thought it went into the net," Hughes said. "Obregon and the goalie went into the net and it came off its moorings; I thought it was a goal for sure."

Then 4:52 into the third period, the IceRays pressed for the go-ahead goal and the Bulls made them pay on an odd-man rush, with Sean Keane's slick feed setting up Cody Freeman for the 2-1 goal.

Dan Sherer and Zack Smoot then finished off nifty passing plays in the final minutes to put the game away.

"They finished off their chances," Hughes said. "They obviously have more skill than we have and they work hard. We matched them with our effort and gave ourselves opportunity for the first two periods. Their skill took over on their opportunities and on our opportunities, we didn't cash in.

"Mason deserved a better outcome than that with the way he played. I couldn't ask for any more from him. He gave us a chance to win tonight."